Lil’ Kim’s memoir ‘The Queen Bee’ will give an inside look at the iconic rapper’s life

The Original Queen Bee is sharing her true story with the world. We’ve all wanted to know more about Miss Kimberly Jones, who has consistently held the music world’s attention from 1994 when she impressed Notorious B.I.G. with her bars, and throughout every album she’s released since.

Lil’ Kim announced on Wednesday that her memoir, The Queen Bee, will be published by Hachette Books on Nov. 2 and we are already trying to add it to our carts!

“I’m excited to finally get to tell my story after all this time,” Lil’ Kim told People in an exclusive statement. “Many people have thought they knew the story of Lil’ Kim, but they have no idea.”

Lil’ Kim was the only female in Biggie’s rap collective, Junior M.A.F.I.A., before making a name for herself as one of the most iconic solo female rappers in history. From her double-platinum album Hard Core to her stand-out red carpet fashion, Lil’ Kim has kept us all entertained and now we get to learn more.

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Her memoir will spill all the tea about the “The Jump Off” rapper’s nearly 30-year career and every obstacle she’s had to overcome.

“Lil’ Kim not only blazed trails for women in hip-hop, but also inspired the careers of those who followed,” reads the book’s press release. “However, life at the top hasn’t been easy, either. Lil’ Kim also talks about the hidden moments of her reign: her complicated high-profile relationships, the misogynistic industry she fought to change through sex positivity, the challenging double standards of self-image and beauty in the spotlight, and the momentous act of loyalty that ultimately landed her in prison.”

The 46-year-old rapper was released from prison in July 2006 after being sentenced to one year and one day behind bars for lying to a jury about what she witnessed during a 2001 shootout between Junior M.A.F.I.A. and rival rap duo Capone-N-Noreaga. She was charged with three counts of perjury, one count of conspiracy and one count of obstruction of justice. 

“I wanted to show them that y’all cannot hold a good woman down; you could send me to the gutter and I’m going to ride it out,” she said of her time locked up, according to the New York Times.

The press release says that Lil’ Kim will also reflect on her work as a “feminist icon.”

“A true page-turner from start to finish, The Queen Bee is every bit as fierce, empowering, and badass as the woman at the heart of this story — and firmly cements her legacy as a true feminist icon.”

"With her dynamic lyricism, her unflappable no-nonsense attitude, her iconic looks both on and off the red carpet, and her unapologetic sexuality, Lil’ Kim quickly established herself as a force to be reckoned with—and was crowned the Original Queen Bee." AMEN to that!

Lil’ Kim has inspired many of the next generations of female rappers. Even Megan Thee Stallion gave credit where credit is due when she told Etalk in December that Lil’ Kim is one of her greatest influences.

“Hearing that from Kim, she’s somebody who is raw. She has a deep voice like mine, so hearing her rap voice made me feel good about my rapping voice because I’m like this is hard, this is tough, she mean it, she’s raw, she’s aggressive, this is what I want to hear from a woman. I’ve always respected that about her,” Meg said.

If you can’t wait for the memoir and you need some more Lil’ Kim in your life, check out her reality series Girls Cruise on hayu. 

Lil’ Kim is joined by music icons Chilli from TLC and Mya and social media personalities Pretty Vee and B. Simone on the vacation of a lifetime. The girls go on a cruise throughout the Caribbean and bond over sisterhood while learning a lot about themselves and each other.

And if that’s not enough, watch this cute video of the “Lighters Up” rapper recently surprising a Florida crowd with her signature “Quiet Storm” dance move onstage with her 6-year-old daughter Royal Reign.

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